Monthly Archives: May 2021

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Yanase Rei

These finely detailed embroidery are the works of Japanese embroidery artist, Yanase Rei. She often hand embroiders flowers and leaf motifs.  Like a painting, you can feel the dignified beauty and dedicated energy from the flowers drawn on the cloth with thread.  The artist has also authored a book entitled, “Embroidery Garden Flowers”.

More of her work can be viewed on Tumblr and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Yanase Rei.

Ilhwa Kim

You have to really get up close to truly appreciate the work of Seoul-based artist Ilhwa Kim. Her work is a spectacular example of contemporary Asian art blending sculpture with painting. Each piece is created through the meticulous process of hand dyeing, cutting and rolling of mulberry paper into unique ‘seeds’. These seeds are then used in their hundreds and thousands to create intricate patterns.  On an interview with Interlocutor she says this about her work:  

“I take it for granted to categorize my work as a “sculpture,” not because of the appearance but because of the working process. In painting, basically the materials are given. However, in my process, all the materials begin from scratch and are ‘‘sculpted” from scratch in various ways. The paper itself has our studio-specific formula — how the paper has to be composed during its manufacture. Every single thing has its own unique process regarding dyeing material, cutting processes involving heavy machines, custom frames, etc.”

“Many paper or textile artists finish their works in gradual steps based on the initial sketch. The process cannot allow sudden bold turns in the middle steps. My studio runs the process in a complete opposite way. In order to give complete freedom during the middle stages of production until completion, all paper units stay unglued until final stage. They can be rearranged or removed or height adjusted whenever needed. The process allows bold changes to be made even when we are very close to final stage.”

More of her work can be viewed on her website and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Ilhwa Kim.

Brandon Ragnar Johnson


Brandon Ragnar Johnson is an illustrator and graphic designer based in California.  He graduated with honors at the Art Center College in Pasadena, California.  The artist moved around much of the west coast of California while growing up, but spent his formative years in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.  Hence the  heavy influence by florescent lights, hard shadows and midcentury design.  His work is often some combination of the things he most loves; film noir, fashion illustration, classic cartoons, the great men’s magazine artists, mid century design and architecture, punk rock, monsters and old Las Vegas.  On an interview with California Home Design he says this about his work:

“I really love simple, abstract shapes that hint at something organic – shapes that may or not be the silhouette of an animal or a plant, maybe something microscopic like an amoeba. I think a design is most
successful when it seems both familiar and completely new at the same time. Being able to accomplish that with just color,
form and line is challenging, but when it works, it’s very rewarding.”

“Mid-century designers were so adept at combining sophistication and humor, and I do my best to strike that same balance in my work. To me, that’s really what makes design appealing rather than rigid and stuffy. I think even the best design can falter when it takes itself too seriously.”


You can follow the artist on his website, Behance and Instagram.  His portfolio can be found here.  

Images:  Courtesy of Brandon Ragnar Johnson.

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